Exploring 'West Indies, U.S.A.' by Stewart Brown




Photo by Jerry Zhang on Unsplash
OVERVIEW
'West Indies, U.S.A.' covers the speaker's experiences and impressions as he journeys by airplane from one Caribbean island to another.  In comparison to the affluent Puerto Rico, the other islands are either poor or not as prosperous. However, a closer look reveals that poverty exists in a place that is popularly known for its wealth.
Stanza One
The speaker is in an airplane and it is 30,000 feet above the island of Puerto Rico. As the plane descends, the speaker highlights that of all the islands he has passed through, Puerto Rico 'takes the pot', meaning Puerto Rico has won the jackpot for being the most prosperous of the islands. It is clear from this stanza that Puerto Rico is like no other island as it is referred to as the 'Dallas of the West Indies'.
Stanza Two
He reflects on the different airports he has just passed through that functioned as 'cultural fingermarks' or 'calling cards'. His island-hopping has enabled him to form impressions of the habits and personalities in the different islands. He mentions the 'hand-written signs in Port-Au-Prince', the sleazy tourist in Piarco airport and the inefficiency and indifference of the baggage boys at 'Vere Bird' in St. Johns. Now they are landing in 'plush' San Juan.
Stanzas Three and Four
Once the plane has arrived in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the pilot makes an announcement. He informs passengers on the plane that, according to U.S. regulations, passengers are to stay on the plane if they are not disembarking in San Juan. Offended, the persona makes the observation that 'Uncle Sam' is fearful that black people might take over the country, ironically referred to as 'Island of the free' when there are restrictions to gaining access to Puerto Rico and restrictions within the island itself. He highlights the presence of US patrol cars on the tarmac, the electric fence and the efficient manner in which the baggage trucks unload. This tight security and efficiency demonstrate the effort that is made to restrict individuals who might want to enter the country illegally. Irony is evident again when reference is made to the line '[g]ive me your poor' yet the US is bent on barring the poor from Puerto Rico.
Stanzas Five and Six
Soon they are back in the air and flying above the 'pulsing city streets'. The persona makes additional observations about San Juan, Puerto Rico that contrast with the image of prosperity that would have been presented in the first stanza. Condominiums oversee shanties and polished Cadillacs drive past Rastas pushing hand carts. All is not perfect in Puerto Rico. It might seem as if it has hit the jackpot from the outside, but it is likened to fools' glitter and how it calls to mind the shattered inside of a TV set that has fallen off a lorry. The island might be appealing on the outside but there is something broken and amiss on the inside. These stanzas expose the poverty and dangers that are present in the island.
Noteworthy Terms
'casino's baize' - It is a coarse green woollen material that is used to cover card tables that are often found in casinos.
'takes the pot' - wins the prize, has big success/victory
'calling cards' - These are cards containing personal information or details about people.
'Uncle Sam' - It is used as symbol for the United States.
innards - inside parts of a machine
fools' gliiters - This is alluding to fools gold which is a brassy yellow mineral that can be mistaken for gold.
LITERARY DEVICES
Metaphor - 'the Dallas of the West Indies', 'San Juan glitters', 'pulsing city streets'
Simile - 'the islands seem like dice tossed on a casino’s baize', 'San Juan glitters like a maverick’s gold ring', 'airports are like calling cards'
Allusion - 'the Dallas of the West Indies' - This alludes to Dallas in Texas, known for the wealth it has accrued because of its oil.
Imagery - The predominant imagery in the poem is visual. For example: 'Cruising at thirty thousand feet above the endless green/the islands seem like dice tossed on a casino’s baize', 'the hand-written signs at Port- au-Prince, Piarco’s sleazy tourist art', 'galvanised shanties overseen by condominiums'. There is also auditory imagery as seen in the line 'But the pilot's bland....drawl crackles as we land'.
Contrast - Puerto Rico is different from the other Caribbean islands because of its economic status and its affiliation with the United States. Also, the image of Puerto Rico's prosperity is contrasted with the poverty that exists in the island. Note, too, the idea that Puerto Rico is controlled by America and not really an island of the free.
Irony  - 'subtle Uncle Sam', 'give me your poor', Island of the free'
Pun - 'Island of the free' - This is a play on the term 'land of the free', a line from the American national anthem.
THEMES
  • Influence of the American Culture
  • Cultural Differences
  • Places
  • Discrimination
TONE
  • Reflective
  • Ironic

Follow this link: https://cxcenglishastudyhub.blogspot.com/2023/01/landscape-painter-jamaica-by-vivian.html for an analysis of the poem 'Landscape Painter, Jamaica' by Vivian Virtue.

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